Fire-box.



JI M. MOGLBLLON.

PIRE BOX.

APPLICATION IILBD DEO. 16, 1912.

Palsented Nov. 18, 1913.

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by, l COLUMBIA PLNOURPLY CO" WASHINGTON. D. C. 4

Janes M. Meenemen, or Eventim, MASSACHUSETTS.

Financia.

Specicaton of Letters Patent. Faintgd NGV, 18, 1913i,

Application filed. December 16, 1912. Serial No.` 736,897. A

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, JAMES M. MCCLEL LON, a citizen of theUnited States, and a resident of Everett, county of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts, (whose postoffice address is 159 Beacham street, Everett, Massachusetts have invented an Improve ment in Fire-Boxes, of which the following description, in connection with the acco1npanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to fire boxes, and more particularly to fire boxes for locomotives.

In Letters Patent of the United States, No. 963,627 granted to me on July 5, `1910, there is'shown and claimed a wall construction comprising a series of sections having flattened adjacent sides, and curved or bulged sides facing the interior and eX* terior of the fire box. The form and construction of the sections is such that they are individually capable of fiexion responsive to temperature changes and thereby prevent extension or'distortion of the wall as a whole. It is a well known fact that pressure in a container tends to cause the wall thereof to assume a shape circular in cross-section. The sections referred to were therefore made as nearly circular in section as possibleY in order to take advantage of the tendency of the steam to maintain a circular section, but in order to secure the sections against extension in the direction of the length of the series and permit the sections to be nippled together, their sides were flattened throughoutl their lengths.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for securing the sections in assembled rela-- tion which permits the use of sections which are circular or `cylindrical substantially throughout their'lengths.

Y rlhe character of the invention may be best understood by reference tothe following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a lvertical transverse section through an illustrative lire boX embodying the invention; Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale is a sectional detail taken on line 2*2 of Fig. l, showing the transverse form of the sections; Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3 3 or Fig. 2; and Fig. l is a view similar to thatshown in Fig.` 2 omitting an element Y `fire VboX there shown as embodying the invention comprises sidewalls 1, each including a series of upright sections 3. Each of these sections Y"is cylindrical or circular transversely of the length of the series and substantially throughout the length ofthe section. As a result, the pressure ,within the section tends to maintain the original shape of the same and the section is selfsustaining. This enables the use of a section of large diameter and having a thin shell effective in generating steam and transversely expansible without danger of dis tortion thereof. Also the self-sustaining form of the sections eliminates the necessity of securing them together substantially throughout their lengths. It is merely necessary to provide securing means adjacent the ends of the sections to maintain them in proper relation. This permits the use of sections which are smooth and uninterrupted by rivets or other securing means substantially throughout theirA lengths and thereby free from projections which would invite the accumulation of sediment or scale.

It is desirable to provide some means of communication between the sections in order that the water to be converted into steam may be supplied from one to the other. As shown herein, theV lower ends of the sections are formed to present heads 5 conveniently integral with the cylindrical sections. These heads may be formed from the cylindrical stock of which the sections are made by annealing the lower ends of the sections and pressing the same to the desired shape. The head ,may be of the same overall thickness in the direction of the length of the series as the diameter of Vthe cylindrical portion of the section, but

free flow of water from one section to another. To close the lower ends of the heads of the sections, each is provided with a cup 11 or other suitable means shaped to conform to the contour of the interior of thc head and riveted and welded or otherwise secured thereto. c

To secure the sections against separation at their lower ends, a foundation ring or member 13 is provided common to the sections. To connect andl secure the cups to this 'foundation ring the Yformer are provided with medial tongues l5 depending therefrom and fitting a groove 17 extending longitudinally of the ring. To secure the tongues in the groove bolts 19 are entered through the ring and tongues. By this construction the lower ends of the sections are securely held without liability of displacement or separation from their proper positions.

A suitable crown is provided for the fire box, shown-herein as side drums 2l., 2l and two smaller intermediate drums 23, The side wall sections are connected with the side drums. To effect Vthis the upper end portion of the cylindrical stock of a section may be pressed to flatten a side thereof as at 27 to conform to the contour of the drum. In thus pressing this side the opposite side may bulge or oifset slightly from the body of the section as at 29. To permit com munication from the sections to the crown drums they are provided with registering apertures in which are expanded suitable nipples 3l. The sections are riveted or otherwise secured to said drums around said nipples,

The upper ends of the sections may be closed by cups 33 riveted or otherwise secured to the sections. To facilitate the cleaning' or flushing out of the sections these top cups may be provided with plugs 35 threaded therein and similar plugs 37 may be provided at the lower ends of the sections. The side walls may be secured to a flue sheet receiving fines 39 contained in a barrel 41. The crown drums may be entered into flanged apertures in this flue sheetand be riveted or otherwise secured thereto.

To permit the water to flow from the barrel into the walls of the fire box the sections adjacent tbeilue sheet may have nippled connections therewith not shown). The water in the'ba'rrel will flow through the nipples into the side wall sections and rise therein to the nipples between the side Vwall sections and the drums. rlhe water level is normally maintained at least as high as these nipples in order to prevent the uncovering of the lowersurface's of the crown drums which are exposed to the fire in the lire' boX. Y

In some cases, to connect 'the' sections and prevent the accumulation of dust or other foreign matter in the grooves formed at the junctures of the sections, fillers 43 (Fig. 2) may be introduced into said grooves. rlhis may be conveniently done by gradually'hlling melted metal in the grooves so that it will be welded thereto and in effect form the wall sections into an integral whole. These fillers preferably are provided in the grooves between the sections facingv the interior of the hre boX, but if desired, similar lillers 45 may be introduced in the opposite grooves or those facing the exterior' of the fire box.

The wall sections being large and of thin material, when subjected to the high heat wit-hin the lire box, are very efficient. in developing and generating steam in the water in the sections. This creates pressure witl in the sect-ions, but owing to their cylindrical or circular shape, this pressure will tend to maintain the Vcylindrical form of the sections and there will be nofdanger of distorting or weakening' the same. The series of sections constituting the side wall of the fire box presents an extremely strong and effective construction, which is easy to manufacture and assemble. lt is not necessary to rivet or otherwise secure the sections together at intervals throughout their lengths, but the sections are securely held together by their connection with the foundation ring common thereto at their lower ends and by their connection with the crown drum common thereto at their upper ends.

Having described one'embodiment of the invention, without limiting the same thereto, what. I claim as new and desire to secure by Let-ters Patent is:

l.. ln a fire box, the combination of a series of upright wall sections respectively circular, self-sustaining and individually eX- pansible transversely of the series, means to secure' said sections in assembled relation; and means permitting communication between said sections adjacent their lower ends.

2. ln a tire box, the combination of a series of upright wall sections respectively of large diameter, circular, self-sustaining the series; and nipples connecting said sections `adjacent their lower ends.

3. ln a fire boX, the combination of a series of upright wall sections respectively circular, self-sustaining and individually eX- pansible transversely of the series and having flattened portions adjacent their lower ends; and means providing communication between said sections through said flattened portions.

ries of upright, wall sections respectively circular, self-sustaining and individually expansible transversely of the series and provided with heads adjacent their lower and individually eXpansible transversely of 4. In a fire boX, the combination of a sel lll-0 ends having flattened contacting surfaces; and means to secure said sections together.

5. In a tire boX, the combination of a series of upright wall sections respectively circular, self-sustaining and individually eX- pansible transversely of the series; means closing the lower ends of said sections; and atoundation member, said means and foundation member being formed for interlocking engagement.

6. In a lire boX, the combination of a se ries ofupright wall sections; cups closing the lower ends of said sections, a foundation portions iiattened and nippled together to provide communication between them,

means closing the lower ends of said sections; and toundation means common to and vsecured to said closing means.

9. In a tire box, the combination of a crown, a series of upright wall sections respectively circular, self-sustaining and individually eXpansible transversely of the series, heads having llat faces at the lower ends of said sections, means to secure 'said lower' ends in assembled relation; and means to secure the upper ends of said sections to said crown. Y

10. In a lire box, the combination of a crown comprising a plurality of drums, side walls each comprising a series of upright cylindrical sections individually self-sus taining and expansible transversely of the series, means connecting upper portions of said sections to said drums, heads at the lower ends oi` said sections having fiat engaging sides, nipples connecting said sides,

means closing the lower ends of said sections and secured thereto; and foundationmeans having tongue and groove connections with said closing means.

11. In a lire box, the combination of sides, each comprising a'series of upright, hollow wall sections respectively cylindrical substantially throughout their lengths and having enlarged lower ends apertured and secured together, said sections being held together to form in eect an integral whole;

Copies of this patent may be obtained for and crown drums secured to and communieating with said sides. Y 12. Ina rebox, the combination of crown drums, side wall sections substantially cylin- .drical throughout their lengths and having upper ends tlattened to conform to the contour of said drums and their lower ends formed with two flattened sides and with two bulged or conveXed sides.

13. In alire boX, the combination of crown drums with upright sections cylindrical substantially throughout their lengths and having upper ends, each flattened on one side for connection with said crown drums, and lower ends, each flattened on two sides transversely to the flattened portions of the upper ends.

14. Inaiire box, the combination of a series ot' wall sections respectively circular' transversely of their lengths; and filler means welded to said sections and located in the grooves formed between the sections.

15. In a tire box, the combination of a series of wall sections respectively circular transversely of their lengths and welded together to forni in effect an integral whole.

16. In alire box, the combination of crown drums with a series of wall sections cylindrical substantially throughout their lengths and having their upper ends connected to and communicating with said drums and their lower ends enlarged, liattened and apertured to provide communication from one to another, the distance between the flattened portions o a section being substantially the same as the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the section.

17. In a fire-box, the combination of a series of hollow wall sections welded together to form in effect an integral whole.

18. In a lire-box, the combination of a series of hollow wall sections; and fillers in-V terposed between and welded to said sections to form in eilect an integral whole.

19. A lire-box comprising upright wall sections having their lower ends enlarged, apertured and united together.

20. A lire-box comprising a series of upright assembled wall sect-ions having their lower ends enlarged and apertured to form water circulation means.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES M. MCCLELLON.

Witnesses: Y

HENRY T. WILLIAMS, J onN R. MoUL'roN.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

